‘Pick-up artist’ to be denied entry for promoting violence against women

SINGAPORE — The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) have denied self-proclaimed “pick-up artist” Julien Blanc’s entry into Singapore, with Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing saying that those who propagate violence against women will not be allowed to set foot here.

The decision was made following an online petition started by Singaporean Charis Mah to bar Mr Blanc from entering the Republic. He had made headlines for getting his visa revoked by Australia on Nov 6 after petitions and protests erupted over his dating seminars, forcing him to cut short his tour there.

In a joint statement yesterday, the ICA and MSF said Mr Blanc will be denied entry here, especially if he plans to hold seminars or events that promote violence against women. “Blanc has been involved in seminars in various countries that advised men to use highly abusive techniques when dating women. Violence against women or any persons is against Singapore law,” the statement said.

Mr Chan reiterated his stand on his Facebook page yesterday: “Some of you have shared with me your concerns about Julien Blanc and his seminars in various countries to advise men on how to use violence against women when dating them. I share your concerns fully. ICA has discussed with the MSF. ICA will not allow Mr Blanc into Singapore, especially if he is here to hold seminars or events that propagate violence against women.

“Violence against innocent people is unlawful and totally unacceptable. We cannot allow people to perpetuate such unlawful activities in our country.”

The petition that Ms Mah started on Nov 14 has drawn more than 8,000 signatures and was addressed to Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also the Home Affairs Minister.

It called for Mr Blanc to be denied entry or deported if he had already entered Singapore and follows similar petitions in Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom that protested against his methods of attracting women, which appear to advocate racism and violence towards women.

Mr Blanc is part of a California-based group called Real Social Dynamics and travels the world coaching men on how they can convince a woman to have sex with them. In one of his YouTube videos, he teaches men how to “open” a woman by approaching, then choking her, before covering her mouth to keep her quiet.

He sells his “pick-up” techniques online for up to US$497 (S$647) a package, which includes tutorial videos, a ticket for a live talk and access to his private Facebook group.

Ms Mah told TODAY that she started the petition after she discovered that Mr Blanc had plans to visit Singapore.

“I wanted to raise awareness and request our relevant authorities to take precautions. Blanc’s potential arrival here is something that affects all of us,” she said.

She has reopened the petition, initially set to close on Nov 20, until the end of the year.

Attributing the success of the petition to everyone who felt it was an urgent issue, Ms Mah said she was heartened by the authorities’ swift action to keep Mr Blanc from entering the country and will continue to advocate for women’s rights.